Smell Maps Create a New Way of Exploring Cities

By: Trademagazin editor Date: 2022. 09. 06. 00:58

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Sensory exploration is a growing area of interest, for reasons pertaining to both health and enjoyment. By engaging more fully with a broader range of human senses, individuals can experience an event or location in greater depth and detail. Researcher Dr Kate McLean, an artist and course leader of the BA Graphic Design programme at the University of Kent, uses mapping techniques to bring the complexities of city odours to life.

Researchers are increasingly recognising the importance of smells, and sensory experiences more broadly, in day-to-day living

McLean’s ‘smellscape’ work combines data with art. She leads smellwalks around the world and uses watercolour, animation, sculpture, and scent diffusion to make the data visible. The smellscapes are often brightly coloured, and feature swirls and dots, conveying the sense of constant motion without becoming overwhelming.

Mclean is not alone. Researchers are increasingly recognising the importance of smells, and sensory experiences more broadly, in day-to-day living. The authors of a new book Restorative Cities: urban design for mental health and wellbeing discuss how sensory benefits can be used to balance out the complaints that impinge on an individual’s sense of health and wellbeing, both mentally and physically. In a recent interview, the authors say that,

“In urban design, there’s too much focus on vision and, to some extent, sound. But if we think about how humans have evolved, we know people actually make use of all of their senses-plus a sixth sense, which is an appreciation of the ambience of a place.”

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